Automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator

ABSTRACT

An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly for a refuse container, said refuse container including a refuse container body for containing refuse and a lid, the applicator assembly including a body portion adapted to be mounted relative to a corner portion of the refuse container body inside the refuse container body and provided with removable cover means, a container containing the spray material, said container including an outlet associated with a depressible actuator to release the spray when depressed, and an actuating assembly associated with the body portion and mounted to be depressed upon closure of the refuse container lid, to engage the depressible actuator of the container to release the spray wherein the body portion and cover means is adapted to contain the replaceable container and prevent dislodgement from the refuse container body upon inversion of the refuse container body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bins and particularly to the control of insects and unwanted odours around bins and other rubbish collection devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Dispensers for dispensing various materials into a container designed for collection of rubbish and refuse are commercially available. In addition to this, there are devices available for dispensing various materials in situations where distasteful odours are present such as over rubbish tips and in toilets and the like.

The dual problems of resulting health hazards and unpleasant odours often coexist in most garbage storage areas, since rotting garbage often produces scents which are unpleasant to humans, but which attract pests which themselves carry diseases.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,775 to Wolbrink discloses a trash compactor which incorporates a deodorizer for continually releasing a scent to the air in the compactor cabinet to mask odours emanating from the compacted trash. Unfortunately Wolbrink simply masks the odours from the trash, but does nothing to prevent pests from infesting the garbage therein.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,145 to Almanza which also contains a useful discussion of some of the problems associated with devices of this type. A portion of the Background Art section of the Almanza patent follows verbatim:

“A large number of devices for dispensing a chemical agent into a refuse receptacle for the purpose of disinfecting, deodorizing, and/or destroying or repelling insects have been proposed and constructed in the past. One such dispensing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,223,760 wherein a substantially annular container having a central opening is secured on the underside of the lid of a refuse receptacle. The container defines an annular reservoir for containing disinfectant. The fumes from the disinfectant flow downwardly from the lid into the receptacle through the central opening in the dispensing device. One disadvantage of this type of disinfectant dispenser for refuse receptacles is its inability to prevent the disinfectant from spilling or flowing from the dispenser upon movement of the receptacle or for example lifting the cover from the receptacle and canting the same. That is, the disinfectant will tend to drain through the central opening upon movement of the cover from its normal horizontal position. Further, this dispenser does not effectively distribute the disinfectant as it is not directly exposed to the contents of the receptacle.

Another dispenser for a like purpose is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,682,491. In that patent, sheet metal is bent to form a dome having upstanding peripheral sides. The dome and sides thereof are perforated and the space between the cover and the dome defines an annular chamber in which is placed an absorbent material and a disinfectant. This dispenser is secured to the underside of a garbage can cover. However, by perforating the sides and the dome of this dispenser, the disinfectant is readily drawn off requiring the container to be filled at frequent intervals. Other dispensers similar to the foregoing for like purposes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,490,314; 999,912; 2,571,428; and 2,531,084. The devices disclosed in these patents, however, have similar disadvantages as the devices of the above specifically noted patents as well as other and various disadvantages.”

Therefore, it would be advantageous to the development of the art if a device were available which is inexpensive, robust, easy to use and did not require constant attention or maintenance.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly for a refuse container, said refuse container including a refuse container body for containing refuse and a lid, the applicator assembly including

a body portion adapted to be mounted relative to a corner portion of the refuse container body inside the refuse container body and provided with removable cover means,

a container containing the spray material, said container including an outlet associated with a depressible actuator to release the spray when depressed, and

an actuating assembly associated with the body portion and mounted to be depressed upon closure of the refuse container lid, to engage the depressible actuator of the container to release the spray

wherein the body portion and cover means is adapted to contain the replaceable container and prevent dislodgement from the refuse container body upon inversion of the refuse container body.

The automated insect deterrent pump spray device of the present invention is preferably adapted to both dispense and spread material into a rubbish bin or similar container for the storage of garbage in order to decrease health hazards and unpleasant odours. The material which the pump spray device of the present invention spreads may be in any form such as powder, a vapour, but will preferably be a liquid and most preferably a volatile liquid so that the liquid does not pool or collect in the container causing additional problems.

The material dispensed by the device of the invention may be an insect deterrent, an insecticide to kill the insects, a verminicide, a deodoriser, or any combination of the above. Other additional materials such as a disinfectant may also be used.

The device of the invention may be removable each time the bin is emptied to prevent dislodgement and loss of the device, but preferably, the device is adapted to be secured in the bin more or less permanently to resist loss or dislodgement.

Preferably, the device of the present invention is manufactured mainly or completely of plastic due to the environment inside the bin but may be of any material or combination thereof. Plastic is preferred due to its strength, rigidity and also its non-permeability.

The bin with which the device of the present invention is preferably used is of the kind known colloquially as a “wheelie-bin”. It is note however that whilst a wheelie bin is preferred, the device of the invention can easily be adapted to be used with virtually any type or size of refuse container, and that generally, all that is required to adapt the device for use with different bins is to adapt the attachment mechanism and perhaps the rear of the device to the different bin.

The bins with which the device is used will normally include a bin body for containing the refuse or garbage and a bin lid. Generally, in order to minimise the escape of unpleasant odours and to prevent vermin entering the bin, the lid mates with or engages the bin body in order to remain closed. Wheelie bins for example, have a lid which is hingedly attached relative to the top of the bin body and which must be lifted in order to place garbage inside bin. The weight of the lid keeps the bin lid closed. Normally, the hinge connection is located to one side of the bin and this may be referred to as the rear of the bin.

The bin body will preferably be rectangular having four corner portions spaced about the bin. There are also corner portions located between the base of the bin and the generally upstanding sidewalls but for the purposes of the present invention, these corner portions are not included within the scope of the term corner portions. Equally, where a bin of substantially circular cross-section is provided, a “corner portion” may be interpreted to mean any curved portion of a sidewall or between a pair of sidewalls.

The device of the present invention includes a body portion adapted to be mounted relative to a corner portion of the bin body inside the bin body and provided with removable cover means.

The body portion of the device will preferably be or include a housing to at least partially contain the container. The housing will preferably substantially enclose the container once the cover means is properly mounted thereto and the container will be contained in a space defined by the housing and the cover means.

The housing of the body portion will preferably be substantially hollow or have an open interior defined by shaped walls. There will normally be an access opening to the interior in the body portion, and preferably at the front of the device. The exterior shape of the walls and the device in general will be tapered from top to bottom so that the lower end of the body portion is preferably smaller in cross-section than the upper portion. The purpose of the tapered external shape of the device is to minimise or prevent catching or engagement with a rubbish placed in the bin, particularly when the bin is inverted as will typically be required for emptying. The outer shape and configuration of the housing may not match the inner shape of the housing.

The housing will preferably be provided with an inner base wall at a bottom portion of the interior space. This inner base wall is typically provided so that the container can rest thereon when in the housing. The interior space of the housing will preferably be defined by the inner base wall, opposed side walls, an upper wall, and a rear wall. There may be front wall provided, but the front of the housing will normally be substantially open.

The upper wall of the housing will typically be a top wall of the body portion and will also generally be provided with one or more openings to allow engagement with the actuating assembly. The actuating assembly may preferably be removable from the device.

The outer, rear portion or wall of the housing will typically be shaped to be closely received relative to, and preferably in a corner portion of the bin. The shape of the rear portion of the housing may abut with the corner portion relative to which it is located.

In use, the upper wall of the housing will typically be mounted slightly below the upper extremity of the bin body. The device will therefore normally be positioned in a corner portion adjacent the upper extremity of the bin. This location will generally allow the sprayed material to be dispensed at an upper portion of the bin and to settle under the force of gravity once dispensed.

The device is preferably mounted in the bin utilising a mounting arrangement, which will normally be located at or adjacent the upper wall of the body portion and rearwardly of the body portion. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the top wall of the body portion extends rearwardly of the rear wall of the body portion. A depending mounting portion or wall will suitably extend from a rearmost outer edge of the top wall.

The depending wall, the rearward extension of the top wall and the rear wall of the body portion preferably define a substantially U-shaped channel into which a portion of a bin sidewall is received to mount the device of the invention. The mounting arrangement may preferably further include a securing arrangement to securely attach the applicator relative to the bin during normal use and particularly during emptying, but still allow for removal if and when desired.

It is preferred that the mounting arrangement provide a snap-fitting securing arrangement. There may be additional openings or securing features provided on the body portion to allow for the use of threaded fasteners. For example, one or more openings may be provided at locations spaced about the body portion to receive screws or similar to more securely attach the body portion to the bin. At least one opening is preferred located at or adjacent the lower end of the body portion to securely fasten the lower end of the device to the bin body.

The body portion of the device will also preferably include retaining mean to releasably retain the container holding the material to be dispensed, securely within the housing.

The present invention also includes a container containing the spray material, said container including an outlet associated with a depressible actuator to release the spray when depressed.

Preferably, the container will be a replaceable or refillable container for ease of use and minimisation of the environmental impact of the invention. The outlet of the container is associated with the depressible actuator to dispense the spray and it is preferred that the actuator is a pump actuator to draw the material from the container and dispel it from the outlet.

The outlet from the container is preferably angled relative to the mounting position of the device to orient the outlet approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the sidewalls of the bin and towards the centre of the bin.

The material of the container will preferably be positively discharged when the actuator is depressed.

The device of the invention also includes an actuating assembly associated with the body portion and mounted to be depressed upon closure of the bin lid, to engage the depressible actuator of the container to release the spray.

The actuating assembly preferably includes a shaped trigger portion that directly abuts the depressible actuator of the container when the trigger portion is depressed. Preferably a portion of the trigger will be located above the uppermost extremity of the bin body when correctly attached to the bin and the remainder of the device will be located below the uppermost extremity of the bin body.

The trigger portion will typically be pivotally mounted on the body portion of the device. Suitably, a central opening in the top wall of the body portion may be flanked on either side with a depression or opening in which extension portions provided on the trigger portion are received and about which the trigger can move. The trigger will preferably be biased into a raised position. This may be forced by biasing means provided on the container actuator or by separate means associated with the trigger.

There may be movement limiting means provided in association with the trigger portion to prevent the trigger portion depressing too far and possibly damaging the container or the rest of the device.

There may additionally be a portion or portions which act to centre the trigger on the actuator of the container. There will typically be a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart sidewalls provided on the trigger to receive the actuator of the container therebetween with at least one cross member to brace the sidewalls and prevent them from deforming inwardly or outwardly when the trigger is depressed.

In use, the device will be properly mounted in a bin. When the bin lid is closed, the trigger will be depressed by the lid and thereby depress the actuator of the container with which it is associated forcing a release of the material into the bin. The trigger is maintained in the depressed condition until the bin lid is removed and then is depressed again once replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated insect deterrent pump spray device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view from the top of the pump spray device illustrated n FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view from the front of the pump spray device illustrated n FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view from the side of the pump spray device illustrated n FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an automated insect deterrent pump spray device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the cover means removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bin with a pump spray device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted thereto.

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the pump spray device and the mounting position according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

According to a preferred embodiment, an automated insect deterrent pump spray device 10 is provided.

The device of the illustrated embodiment is particularly adapted for use with a bin as illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the bin includes a bin body 11 for containing refuse and a lid 12.

The illustrated device 10 is adapted to both dispense and spread material into the rubbish bin in order to decrease health hazards and unpleasant odours. The material which the device of the illustrated embodiment spreads is a liquid with a volatile component so that the liquid does not pool or collect in the bin causing additional problems. The liquid dispensed by the device of the embodiment includes an insect deterrent or repellent, a deodoriser, and a disinfectant.

The device of the embodiment is adapted to be secured in the bin more or less permanently to resist loss or dislodgement. The device is manufactured mainly or completely of plastic due to the environment inside the bin. Plastic is preferred due to its strength, rigidity and also its non-permeability.

The bin with which the device of the present invention is preferably used is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is of the kind known colloquially as a “wheelie-bin”. Wheelie bins have a lid 12 which is hingedly attached relative to the top of the bin body 11 and which must be lifted in order to place garbage inside bin body 11. The weight of the lid 12 keeps the bin lid 12 closed. Normally, the hinge connection 13 is located to one side of the bin, normally referred to as the rear of the bin.

The upper portion of the bin body has a flattened circumferential shoulder 14 with a raised lip portion 15 about which the extremities of the bin lid 12 are received when closed. This lip portion 15 assists with the proper location of the lid 12 when closed. This lip will also assist with the mounting of the device 10 of the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 7.

The bin body 11 is rectangular having four corner portions spaced about the bin. There are also corner portions located between the base of the bin and the generally upstanding sidewalls but for the purposes of the present invention, these corner portions are not included within the scope of the term corner portions.

The device 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes a body portion 16 adapted to be mounted relative to a corner portion of the bin body 11 inside the bin body 11 and provided with removable cover means 17.

The body portion 16 of the device 10 includes a housing 19 which together with the cover means 17, when the cover means 17 is properly mounted to the body portion 16) encloses the container 18 holding the material to be dispersed.

The housing 19 of the body portion has an open interior defined by shaped walls. There is an access opening to the interior in the body portion at the front of the housing 19. The exterior shape of the walls and the device in general is tapered from top to bottom so that the lower end of the body portion is smaller in cross-section than the upper portion. The purpose of the tapered external shape of the device is to minimise or prevent catching or engagement with a rubbish placed in the bin, particularly when the bin is inverted as will typically be required for emptying. The outer shape and configuration of the housing may not match the inner shape of the housing.

The housing 19 has an inner base wall 20 at a bottom portion of the interior space so that the container 18 can rest thereon when in the housing. The interior space of the housing is defined by the inner base wall 20, opposed side walls 21, an upper wall 22, and a rear wall 23.

The upper wall 22 of the housing 19 is a top wall of the body portion and is provided with one or more openings to allow engagement with the actuating assembly 24 which is removable from the device 10 of the illustrated embodiment.

In use, the upper wall 22 of the housing 19 is mounted slightly below the upper extremity of the bin body 11. The device 10 will therefore normally be positioned in a corner portion adjacent the upper extremity of the bin. This location allows the sprayed material to be dispensed at an upper portion of the bin and to settle under the force of gravity once dispensed.

The device is preferably mounted in the bin utilising a mounting arrangement, which in the illustrated embodiment, is located adjacent the upper wall 22 of the body portion 19 and rearwardly of the body portion 19. According to the illustrated embodiment, the top wall 22 of the body portion 19 extends rearwardly of the rear wall 23 of the body portion 19. A depending mounting wall 25 extends from a rearmost outer edge of the top wall 22.

The depending wall 25, the rearward extension of the top wall 22 and the rear wall 23 of the body portion 19 define a substantially U-shaped channel into which a portion of a bin sidewall or the lip portion 15 is received to mount the device. The depending sidewall 25 also includes a securing tab to securely attach the applicator relative to the bin during normal use and particularly during emptying, but still allow for removal if and when desired.

There is also an opening 26 provided and located adjacent the lower end of the body portion 11 to securely fasten the lower end of the device 10 to the bin body 11.

The body portion 19 of the device 10 includes a retaining strap 27 to releasably retain the container 18 holding the material to be dispensed, securely within the housing.

The container 18 is a replaceable or refillable container for ease of use and minimisation of the environmental impact of the invention. The outlet 28 of the container 18 is associated with the depressible actuator 29 to dispense the spray and to draw the material from the container 18 and dispel it from the outlet 28.

The outlet 28 from the container 18 is oriented approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the sidewalls of the bin and towards the centre of the bin. The material of the container 18 of the illustrated embodiment is positively discharged when the actuator 29 is depressed.

The device of the illustrated embodiment also includes an actuating assembly 24 associated with the body portion 19 and mounted to be depressed upon closure of the bin lid 12, to engage the depressible actuator 29 of the container 18 to release the spray.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuating assembly 24 includes a shaped trigger portion 30 that directly abuts the depressible actuator 29 of the container 18 when the trigger 30 is depressed. A portion of the trigger 30 will be located above the uppermost extremity of the bin body 11 when correctly attached to the bin and the remainder of the device 10 will be located below the uppermost extremity of the bin body 11.

The trigger 30 is pivotally mounted on the body portion 19 of the device 10. A central opening in the top wall 22 of the body portion 19 is flanked on either side with a depression into which extension portions 31 provided on the trigger 30 are received and about which the trigger 30 can move. The trigger 30 is biased into a raised position typically by biasing means provided in association with the container actuator 29.

There is a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart sidewalls 32 provided on the trigger 30 to receive the actuator 29 of the container 18 therebetween with a cross member 33 to brace the sidewalls 32 and prevent them from deforming inwardly or outwardly when the trigger 30 is depressed. The cross member 33 will also function to prevent the trigger 30 depressing too far and possibly damaging the container 18 or the rest of the device.

In use, the device will be properly mounted in a bin. When the bin lid 12 is closed, the trigger 30 is depressed by the lid 12 and thereby depress the actuator 29 of the container 18 with which it is associated, forcing a release of the material into the bin. The trigger 30 is maintained in the depressed condition until the bin lid 12 is lifted or removed and then is depressed again once the lid 12 is replaced.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. 

1. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly for a refuse container, said refuse container including a refuse container body for containing refuse and a lid, the applicator assembly including a body portion adapted to be mounted relative to a corner portion of the refuse container body inside the refuse container body and provided with removable cover means, a container containing the spray material, said container including an outlet associated with a depressible actuator to release the spray when depressed, and an actuating assembly associated with the body portion and mounted to be depressed upon closure of the refuse container lid, to engage the depressible actuator of the container to release the spray wherein the body portion and cover means is adapted to contain the replaceable container and prevent dislodgement from the refuse container body upon inversion of the refuse container body.
 2. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the spray material dispensed includes an insect deterrent, an insecticide to kill the insects; a verminicide, a deodoriser, a disinfectant or any combination thereof.
 3. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the body portion of the device includes a housing to at least partially contain the container, the housing substantially enclosing the container once the cover means is properly mounted thereto.
 4. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the device has an exterior shape which tapers from top to bottom so that a lower end of the body portion is smaller in cross-section than an upper portion.
 5. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 including a top wall with a rearwardly extending wall, a depending wall and a rear wall of the body portion which define a substantially U-shaped channel into which a portion of a refuse container sidewall is received to mount the device in the refuse container.
 6. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the container is a replaceable or refillable container.
 7. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the outlet from the container is angled relative to the mounting position of the device to orient the outlet approximately perpendicularly to the refuse container body.
 8. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the material of the container is positively discharged when the depressible actuator is depressed.
 9. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the actuating assembly includes a shaped trigger which directly abuts the depressible actuator of the container when the trigger portion is depressed.
 10. An automated insect deterrent pump spray applicator assembly according to claim 9 wherein a portion of the trigger is located above an uppermost extremity of the refuse container body when correctly attached to the refuse container and the remainder of the applicator assembly is located below the uppermost extremity of the refuse container body. 